History

James Leggate’s engineer and blacksmith company was established in September 1975, by James Leggate himself.

He worked long hard hours in an old barn which he converted into the smiddy. Many of the first jobs were field gates for farmers, cubicles and feed barriers as the farmers moved forward from outdated byres to modern cattle sheds and milking parlours.

By 1980 James employed four staff, three of which were attending Motherwell Technical College at different stages of engineering and blacksmith apprenticeships. James along with his staff were now successfully completing many wrought iron projects which ranged from one single wrought iron house sign to hundreds of metres of specially designed railings, gates, window grills and even spiral stairs.

James now known as “Jimmy Leggate the blacksmith,” had built up an outstanding reputation for quality and value for money. Such quality proved places in the top three in the hand made gates competition for five years in a row at the Royal Highland show. In 1990, such was the demand, Jimmy had no alternative but to expand his premises which included a fabrication shop, parts store, paint shop and of course a bigger and better smiddy fire. The extended premises now housed many modern tools, which included hydraulic presses, rollers and even a hydraulic hammer. As the company moved through the 90s it kept up with modern developments without compromising the quality of service or value for money.

In March 2000 Jimmy decided at the age of 69 it was time to retire and his son Andrew Leggate bought the business. After ten years the business had outgrown the existing premises and a new purpose built workshop was required. The company is now moving forward again by understanding our customers needs and recognising the high demands of modern living.

James Leggate Blacksmiths now offer a totally unique service, automated gates with a full maintenance service. When you enter into this agreement you will enjoy comfort in the knowledge that your automated gates will be kept in great working order with our fully documented maintenance program.